Heat treating furnace and the like



Jan. 26, 1932. E. D. FLINTERMANN 1,842,981

HEAT. TREATING FURNACE AND THE LIKE Filed June 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /J I; 1. .p acca Il' -1 laf, EB 12 135 mornz.

Jan. 26, 1932. K E. D. FLINTERMANN 1,842,981

HEAT TREATING FURNACE AND THE LIKE Filed June 2o, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UN ITE .STATES PATENT oF-Fic;

EDGAR D. ILINTERMANN, or DETROIT, ivIIcHIGAiv, ,AssIGNon TOfMIcHIGAN STEEL cAs'rIivG COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MIOIIIGAILA CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN HEAT TREATING FURNCEAND THE LIKE Application filed June 20,

This invention relates to heat treating or like furnaces, and particularly to such furnaces as are provided with means. for continuouslyjpassing the articlesto be treated 1 .,5 thereby through its length, the principal object being the provision of an improvedmechanism for supporting the articles in Atheir travel through the furnace.

s In furnaces of this type, what is known as ,1 rails are provided extending along the length of the furnace, and which are adapted to slidably support, directly or indirectly,

the articles which yare to be treated inthe furnace, and which may be supported digit rectly on the rails or be positioned'in pans or other containers which in themselves are supported and moved onY the rails through the furnace. Such rails are usually made in relatively short lengths and suitably joined `20 together to form a continuous rail structure throughout the length of the furnace. Bef cause of the extremely high heats which such railsfare subjected to, they must be made of a special type of steel alloy, and because of the wide range of temperatures to which they d are liable to be subjected, I have found it preferable to provide means to compensate for the variation in length of the rails due to contraction and expansion.

f '39 One of the objects ofthe present invention is to provide la rail construction which will'v permit the expansion and contraction of the various rail sections without interfering with the proper function ofthe rail structure, and 375 iii which contraction and expansionvwill not subjectthe rails to undue stresses.

It is. customary to provide the so-called rails with rollers which project above their upper face andupon which the pans or containers are :adapted to rest, so that less effort will be required to move such pans or con.- tainers through the furnace. vIn the constructions heretofore, employed, the construction of these rails has been .such that the scale which is liable to be formed on the,

articles being treated in the furnace may come in Contact with their bearing faces and seriously interfere with the proper operation thereof. It is` another object of the present i929. VVsmal No. 372,285. Y

featuresof construction and combinations of' parts to be hereinafter described with reference tothe accompanying drawings, and then claimed, having the above4 and other objects in view. i f v In the accompanying'drawings which show a suitable embodiment of the present invention, and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several different views;

Fig. l is a more Aor less diagrammatic fragmentary perspective viewof a furnace of the type-described.

Fig. 2 is a` fragmentaryplan view of apair of cooperating rail sections. Fig. 3 is a partially broken' side View of the structure shown in Fig. v1.

Fig. 4 is an end view of oneof the rail sections, taken as-on the line 1 -4 of Fig. E?.

Fig. -5 isran .enlarged fragmentary side view of one of the rail or truss members showing the roller supportedthereby;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line'6-6 of Fig. 5.

7 is a side view of one of the rollers and its'cooperating axle member.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. y Y Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the roller axle members. d Y

In furnaces of this type, itis conventional practice to support the rail sections -either directly upon the surface of the hearth or to support the rails'at'their ends only by cross bars which are supported from the lower wall of the furnace by pedestals or the like. j This last. type of Vconstruction isV shown` in the drawings'as a preferable form of construction.

Referring. to Fig. l, I show a furnace whose walls arel indicated generallyv as .15. 'AV plurality ofl pedestalsl are provided on '50 invention to provide,Y novel means comprising the bottom wall Vof theV furnaceand extend Il( Iii) upwardly therefrom. Extending transversely of the furnace and supported by each pair of pedestals 16 are spaced supports in the form of cross bars 17 between which the rail sections are supported at their ends. Each rail section, in accordance with the present invention, is formed of or as a truss having a body portion 18 of generally U-shaped section which opens upwardly. At spaced intervals along` substantially vertical side flanges 18, opposed boss-like pads 19 are formed and the pads 19 are each provided with a groove or notch 20 opening upwardly therein, it being understood that the grooves 2O in each opposed pair of pads 19 are in. transverse alignment with each other. The purpose of these grooves 2() will be presently described.

Each of the rails or truss sections is shown as provided at one end with a hat bottom surface 21 (see Fig. 3) which is adapted to upon the upper surface of the corresponding cross bars 17 and this end of each member is provided with a longitudinally extendi ng central recess or groove 22 in a bottom web which unites the flanges 18. The opposite end of each member is provided with a corresponding flat bot-tom surface 23 which is adapted to rest upon the top face of the correspond ing cross member 17, and this end of each member is provided with a tongue 2&1 which is .adapted to be received in the groove or recess 22 of the next adjacent rail section and be guided against lateral movement therein. The mentioned web, including surfaces 21 and tongue 24:, is shown as straight; and sufficient clearance is provided between the tongue 24 and the groove or iianges delining recess 22 to permit free longitudinal movement of the tongue in the recess. One end. and preferably the recessed end of each of the truss members may be provided with a pair of laterally extending iianges 25 whose bottom surfaces are Hush with the bottom surface 21 and through which bolts 26 may be extended downwardly through the. upper flange of the cross member 17, and these both may there be provided with. nuts such as 27 and serve to secure this end of each of the rail sections to the cross members and loclr this end of the rail sections against lonelitudinal movement. The opposite or tongued ends of the respective rail.. or truss sections are not bolted down or otherwise secured to the cross members 17 in any in anner whatsoever, their position .being controlledv by the reception of the tongues 24 in the recesses 22. Ample end clearance between the ad- ]acent transverse surfaces of the acont rail section ends is initially provided to permit any amount of expansion of the rail sections that will occur in service without bringing such transverse faces into contacting relationship such as would set up strain longitudinally of the rails. This is a material advantage over constructions heretofore proposed in that in the heretofore construction each rail section has been rigidly tied longitudinally to the adjacent rail section at each end so that the expansive and contractive forces set up on one rail section have been transmitted to all of the rest of the rail sections, with the obvious attendant disadvantages.

Where these one-piece trusses or rail sections are to be supported at their ends only, as shown in the drawings, I prefer to provide one or in i re downwardly extending triangular strengthening ribs or longitudinal webs, such aq' on the lower surface, these being shown as disposed below flanges 18 andlas increasing in depth from the ends to the iniddie. l also prefer to provide a plurality of relatively small transverse ribs such as 29 between the sides of the main body portion, and within the channel thereof, to further s'lji'ei ythen the construction.

in these types of constructions as previously provided, the rollers were generally formed with integral axle portions which were ro 'l'atably received within grooves in the main body portion corresponding with the grooves 20 previously referred to. The result of such construction was that the bearing surface of the axle portions of the roller were continuously exposed at the upper s ide of the grooves 20, and any foreign matter that was present in the furnace was free to find its way into contact with such bearing surfaces. Furthermore, with some types of metal which is treated in such furnaces, a scale of ferrie or other oxide often forms on the surface of such material, and when the material is slightly cooled, such scale cracks off from the surface of the material and is often thrown about the interior of the furnace. This scale, together with other foreign matter, soon clogs he bearing surfaces of the roller axles to such n amount as to often-times make the rollinoperative. The construction herein provided serves to protect such bearing surfaces and prevents such clogging of the same with foreign matter. I do this by making the axle of the rollers separate from the rollers themselves and securing the axle members against rotation in the rail sections, and permitting the rollers to turn on the axles. In this manner the surfaces of the axles which are exposed to scale or other foreign matter are st.' ,ionary while the roller itself covers and protects the bearing surfaces of the axle membeiU upon which the rollers rotate. The rolltl themselves are preferably formed `merely as one-piece discs such as 30 having central apertures 31, and they are, as illustrated in Fig. (i, of slightly less thickness than the width of theY channel in the mainbody portion, between flanges 18. The axle members 32 are preferably of a diameter less than the openings 31 so as to provide ample clearance between the axle members preferably of substantiallyV the same length f as the outside width of the main body portion,

as also .indicated in Fig.` 6. Infthe present construction, a portion of each axle ymember 32 projecting to either side of the rollers 30 is flattened olf, as best indicated as at 33 in Fig. 9, on diametrically opposite sides of the actual member. The grooves or upwardly opening vertical slots 2O in which these ends are received, are iiattened on theirsides and are of such a'width as to relatively closely receive the flattened ends .of the axle members 32 therein. VIn this manner, the axle members are adapted to be merely dropped into position, and thereby locked against turning in the sockets, so that the rollers are con-` strained to rotate upon the axle members. It will thus be apparent that either end of any axle may enter any socket in either of two positions, and that the bearing surfaces between the axle'members 32 and the rollers 30 are at all times covered and protected by the roller itself. I find that by this construction v all members of this rail organization being preferably united by amere play-permitting in'- terfitting of tlireadless smooth surfaced parts thereof, the rollers 30 and axle members 32 have considerably longer life and are more eliicient during their life than the conventional constructions, and less effort is required to move the pans, such as 35 in Fig. l, and which rest on the rollers 30, through the furnace afterl an appreciable period of use, as compared to the usual constructions.

On the other hand, when repairs or replacements are called for, any Vrail member or section may be directlyand vertically removed from between like sections, without disturbing the latter; and any one-piece-axle member may, in turn, be directly'and lateral- Y ly removed from a corresponding one-piece roller, upon a vertical withdrawal of the flattened ends of said axle member from the lslots in the flanges of a one-piece rail mem- There is also another advantage in this construction, and that is that not only are the rollers and axle Vmembers morev economical to produce in the first instance, the former having the character of a centrally apertured and flattened one-piece disc, but that from the service viewpoint if eitherthe roller 80 or the axle 32 becomes worn to a point where replacement is necessary without the other being thus worn, one may be replaced indev pendently of the other, and a great saving eflift fected thereby.` Furthermore, in conventional constructions where` the rollers have integral axles, the wear takes placelbetween the axle and the rail, so'that it is quite common that such wearY necessitates the replacement of the rail itself, a necessarily relatively expensive procedure. InV the construction provided herein there is no'possibility of such wearer necessity lof'replacement ofthe rail Yor truss sections for this reason; and the noncircular end portions are receivable, in either ofytwopositions, in either of two opposite slots. This is an important item in the upkeep of this class of devices.`

Although I have described the Vlast-mentioned features of .construction as a part of the described type of furnace construction, it will be apparent that it may be modified for use in connection with furnace constructions where the employment of side rails is not necessary or advisable, and its application to other constructions will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described without departing from the spirit or substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What I claim is:` y l Y lLIn a furnace structure, in combination, a rail` organization comprising a plurality of truss members cooperating inend-to-end relationship and each including a bottom web,

Vwhich is substantially straightthroughout its length, and lateral flanges, said web terminating at one end short of said flanges and in- `cluoling a tongue at its other end. and in the same plane therewith, adapted to so enter.

between the flanges of the 'adj acent truss inember as to limit lateral play between such truss members, spaced means for supporting said truss members, means for securing one end of each of said truss members against movement relative to 'l said supporting means, said Vtongues andllanges being shaped for slidably guiding the opposite end lof each of said truss members in the adjacent section cooperating with said opposite end.

Q. In a furnace structure, in combination, a plurality'of rail Vsections adapted to be arranged in `end-to-endrelationship and each including a bottom web, which is substantially lstraight throughout its length, and lateral flanges, said web terminating at one end short of said flanges and includinga tongue at its other end and in the same plane therewitlnadapted to so enter between the flanges of the adjacent truss member as toilimit lateral play between such truss members, supporting` means atthe ends of said sections, means for securingsone end of each of said sections against movement relatively thereto, said tongues and lianges serving as a connection between the other-end of each of said sections and the'fastened end of the cooperating section permitting longitudinal movement of said other end relative to said fastened end while maintaining said other end tially straight throughout its length, andlateral iianges, said web terminating at one end short of said :(ianges and including a tongue at its other end and in the same plane therewith, adapted to so enter between the iianges of the adjacent truss member as to limit lateral play between such truss members, the same end of each of said sections being provided with means for securing the same aga-inst movement and said tongues and flanges serving as a. longitudinally slidable connection between said secured end and the adjacent end of the adjacent section, said adjacent end being free to move longitudinally.

si. ln a furnace structure, in combination, a pair of rail sections, means for securing but one end of each of said sections against longitudinal movement, and a tongue and groove connection, between said sections so formed as to permit each section to expand and to be directly replaced without disturbing any a( jacent sections, While nevertheless limiting lateral movement between adjacent ends of said sections.

5. In a furnace structure, in combination, a. plurality of rail sections arrangeoin endto-end relationship, the same end of each ofsaid sections being secured against movement and the opposite end of each of said sections being *free to move longitudinally, and a tongue and groove connection between each of said secured ends and the cooperating free end of the adjacent section so framed as to permit each sect-ion to expand and to be directly replaced without disturbing any adjacent sections, While nevertheless limiting lateral movement between adjacent ends ol said sections.

6. ln a furnace structure, in combination, a plurality of rail sections arranged in endto-end relationship, a flange at the same end of each of said sections for securing the corresponding ends of said sections against longitudinal movement, and a sliding connection between the flanged end of each of said sections and the adjacent end of the section cooperating With said flanged end so framed as to permit each section to expand and to be directly replaced Without disturbing any adjacent sections, while nevertheless limiting lateral movement between adjacent ends el said sections.

'7. A rail section for a heat treating furnace comprising a U-sectioned body comprising a straight bottom web provided with a securing flange at but one end thereof, a longitudinally disposed recess in said end, and a .gitudinally disposed tongue at the op posite end of said section, said Hange, said recess and tongue being' in the plane ol said Web and so formed as to permit each section to expand and to be directly replaced in a vertical direction, Without disturbing any adjacent section, While nevertheless 

